Orphans of the Storm: Celia Imrie

Absolutely loved this book. It's one of those books you don't want to put down, you don't want to finish but you can't wait to get to the end either!Have never read any of Celia's books before but can't wait to read another now.

As a reader, I have a peculiarity that I never EVER read the synopsis of the book ( otherwise whats the point of reading it! ) I like to follow as the story unfolds and to get the full excitement as I don't know what it is about!Now with this story I really enjoyed the first half! - that part which many readers seem to dislike ( i have since read the reviews) I really got into the feelings and emotions of Marcella and there are some beautiful descriptions of the little boys.... then i got to the part about Michael and fair enough it was interesting to follow 'his' journey and get understanding of his character too and i had an inkling then of which ship he was about to board. ( If i was more observant i would have realised from the front cover which ship but then again maybe not!Then i got to the part which describes Margaret -and i didn't have a clue what was going on! The style was suddenly different and i was lost! And the rest was just documentary about what happened and only the ending had any relevance to the first part of the story.Enormous research had gone into this book and it is refreshing to hear a different angle than to the 'Titanic' tragedy.It was a good read though and i enjoy her writing.I am wondering if Marcellas sons Lolo or Edmond had ever written any account of their childhood ordeals.I would recommend this book however!

Given my obsession with the story of the Titanic in my younger years, this is the first book I've ever read which is based around the tragic disaster.I bought Orphans of the Storm on a whim on one of my Waterstone's sprees - and I vowed to make it my next read.What I didn't realise is that it is based on the true story of the last surviving passenger from the disaster. And it was incredible.So incredible that the minute I got home, I gave it to my mum to read and I've just bought a copy for one of my ex-colleagues because the history was common ground for us.I didn't know what to expect - I knew it would pull at the heart strings but I didn't appreciate quite how much.The way it's written, Imrie really allows the suspense and bewilderment to build. Of course, it's no spoiler to say - The Ship Sinks At The End - but the way it is written from two separate perspectives, prolongues the suspense. I ugly cried on the train. (Thankfully I was wearing sunglasses).Whilst Michel Marcel Navratil is the character on which the story is based, accounts and perspectives are told from his parents. It's so hard to describe without giving it away. But it's stunning. Just read it.

Excellent took a few chapters to get the jist of the story as it goes back and forth but enjoyedEarly 20th century controlling and abuse

I bought this because I have read Celia Imrie’s other books. This one is very different, and it took me a while to get into it. The story plods along and it doesn’t really ever get to the sense of drama that is suggested in the summary.I wasn’t aware it was based on a true story until the end, and on discovering that it was the slowness of the story made sense. The book reads like an account of something that happened and blends fact and fiction, not entirely successfully. The authors other books are much better.

I loved this book and did not realise till the end that the characters and the story were true. Very well researched and enjoyable I was sorry when it came to the end of the book

Easy reading but not really gripping, took me a while to finish as I prefer a book you cannot put down or can't wait to pick up again. I did however enjoy the story.

I purchased this book for my wife who has partially read it and is enjoying it so far. I have yet to read it but will do so in the future. I have since purchased a second book by the same author for my wife to read once she has completely read the first book. The author is also a very talented actor / actress who we have seen on the television on many occasions before.

This was a very well-written book. I would actually have to take breaks from reading it because I was so empathetic and was getting too wrapped up in it. Very well researched. I highly recommend this book.

This true story has been so well executed, her best book to date!

Loved this book from the first page to the last. I couldn’t put it down. Love Celia’s books,this is the best

The research for this book is incredible and must have taken months to verify and collect. This Titanic story needed to be written.

Spellbinding I couldn't wait to read the next page. I have always loved Celia Imrie as an actress and now a very talented author